Opportunity Information: Apply for FWS CESU 4
Apply for FWS CESU 4
- The Fisheries Habitat Conservation in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fish and Wildlife Service, CESU Sole Source Task Agreements under 505 DM 2.14 (4) Unique Qualifications" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.649 Service Training and Technical Assistance (Generic Training).
- This funding opportunity was created on May 9, 2008 and posted on May 9, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 22, 2008. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- For this announcement of Intent to Award discretionary financial assistance to single sources without competition beginning in Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 for the duration of Service participation in the CESU cooperative agreements (renewable every five years), the justification for award without competition is Department of the Interior s 505 DM 2.14 (4) Unique Qualifications The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon a variety of demonstrable factors such as location, property ownership, voluntary support capacity, cost sharing ability, if applicable, technical expertise, or other such unique qualifications. Financial assistance recipients include any university or institution that is a member of a CESU to which the Service is a cooperating partner in the cooperative agreement, and which can satisfy the Service s needs relative to a specific biogeographic area of concentration, a particular ecosystem type, a particular management regime, a combination of these themes, a special expertise, or a required timeframe to meet regional or program needs.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
This opportunity is a Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announcement of intent to make discretionary financial assistance awards through the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) network using sole source task agreements. The core purpose is to fund research, technical assistance, and education that support natural resource and environmental management, grounded in the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661-666C) and other FWS program authorities. Rather than operating as an open, competed grant program, this notice explains how FWS will issue task agreements under existing CESU cooperative agreements, with the expectation that FWS will be substantially involved in shaping and carrying out the work. In practical terms, these awards are designed to solve applied conservation and management problems by bringing together federal agencies, universities, and other partner institutions in organized regional collaborations.
CESUs are described as a nationwide network of partnerships typically anchored at universities and organized around biogeographic regions (for example, the Colorado Plateau or Southern Appalachians), ecosystem types (such as high deserts or urban ecosystems), or management contexts (such as wilderness or multiple-use landscapes). The model is intentionally interdisciplinary, combining biological, physical, social, and cultural sciences to address complex resource issues at multiple scales. Universities and partner institutions contribute facilities, administrative support, and access to faculty, students, and technical resources, while federal agencies contribute scientists, specialists, and other professional support. The overarching idea is to streamline and strengthen multi-agency, cross-disciplinary work by using an established partnership framework rather than building a new collaboration for each project.
A defining feature of this opportunity is that it uses a sole source approach justified under the Department of the Interior policy at 505 DM 2.14(4), labeled "Unique Qualifications." That means FWS may select a single CESU partner without competition when that partner is demonstrably uniquely qualified for the task. The notice lists examples of the kinds of factors that can establish unique qualifications, including location, property ownership, capacity for voluntary support, ability to cost share when applicable, specialized technical expertise, or other distinguishing attributes tied to the work requirements. Eligibility is therefore limited to universities or institutions that are members of a CESU in which FWS is a cooperating partner, and the award rationale must connect the partner's unique fit to the project needs, such as meeting requirements for a specific region, ecosystem type, management regime, specialized expertise, or a timeframe driven by regional or program demands.
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, not a traditional grant, which matters because it signals substantial federal involvement. Each individual task agreement must include a statement describing that federal involvement and must also include the justification for using a sole source award under the unique qualifications authority. The notice also emphasizes a key administrative constraint: the federal government is not financially committed to any proposed task agreement until it is approved by an authorized FWS financial officer. Applicants and FWS program staff are instructed to attach a copy of the Grants.gov notice to the task agreement package submitted for financial processing, reinforcing that this posting functions as an umbrella notice supporting future task agreements rather than a single standalone competition.
From a program classification standpoint, the opportunity is associated with natural resources and lists CFDA 15.649 (Service Training and Technical Assistance, generic training) as one possible assistance listing, while noting that other CFDA numbers could apply depending on the specific task agreement. The announcement also states that Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs) does not apply, which simplifies coordination requirements that sometimes affect certain federal assistance programs.
The announcement’s administrative details indicate it was posted May 9, 2008, with an original and current closing date of May 22, 2008, and an archive date of June 21, 2008, under Funding Opportunity Number FWS CESU 4. Even though those dates are historical, the notice explains an ongoing intent beginning in FY 2008 and continuing for the duration of FWS participation in CESU cooperative agreements, which are renewable every five years. In other words, the posting documents the mechanism and justification for sole source CESU task agreements during that participation period, rather than announcing a one-time pool of competitive funding.
For coordination and project development, FWS identifies regional Science Support Partnership contacts who serve as points of contact for CESU cooperative agreements. Listed contacts include Region 1 (Northwest) Paul Heimowitz, Region 2 (Southwest) Charles Ault, Region 3 (Midwest) Sean Kelly, Region 4 (Southeast) Bill Starkel, Region 5 (Northeast) Richard Bennett, Region 6 (Mountain Prairie) Greg Watson, Region 7 (Alaska) Janet Hohn, Region 8 (California/Nevada Operations) Diane Elam, and Region 9 (Headquarters) Bill Knapp. An additional contact for access issues is Jo Ann Mills, Program Analyst, at 703-358-2430. These contacts indicate that projects are expected to be regionally grounded and aligned with on-the-ground management and science needs identified by FWS programs and regional offices.
Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a formal notice that FWS will fund CESU member institutions through cooperative agreement task agreements on a non-competitive, sole source basis when a clear unique-qualifications justification exists, with FWS playing an active role in the work. The focus is on building and applying interdisciplinary science and technical support that can directly inform fish and wildlife conservation, habitat management, and related environmental decision-making across the CESU network’s regional and thematic areas of expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) notice of intent to make discretionary financial assistance awards through the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) network using sole source task agreements. It functions as an umbrella announcement describing how FWS will develop and issue future task agreements under existing CESU cooperative agreements, rather than an open, competed grant program.
2) Is this an open, competitive grant solicitation?
No. The notice explains that FWS will use a non-competitive (sole source) approach for task agreements under CESU cooperative agreements when a specific CESU partner is justified as uniquely qualified for the work.
3) What is the main purpose of these awards?
The core purpose is to fund research, technical assistance, and education that support natural resource and environmental management. The work is grounded in the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661-666C) and other FWS program authorities, and is intended to address applied conservation and management needs.
4) What kinds of activities can be supported?
Based on the notice, supported activities can include applied research, technical assistance, and education efforts that inform fish and wildlife conservation, habitat management, and related environmental decision-making, particularly where interdisciplinary and multi-agency collaboration is needed.
5) What is a CESU?
CESUs are a nationwide network of partnerships, typically anchored at universities and organized around biogeographic regions, ecosystem types, or management contexts. They are designed to bring together federal agencies, universities, and other partner institutions to address complex natural resource issues using interdisciplinary approaches that may include biological, physical, social, and cultural sciences.
6) Who is eligible to receive these task agreements?
Eligibility is limited to universities or institutions that are members of a CESU in which FWS is a cooperating partner. The notice emphasizes that selection is based on a sole source justification tied to unique qualifications for a specific task.
7) How does FWS select an awardee if it is not competitive?
FWS may select a single CESU partner without competition when that partner is demonstrably uniquely qualified for the specific task agreement. The award package must include a justification explaining why the selected partner is the unique fit for the project needs.
8) What does "sole source" mean in this notice?
"Sole source" means FWS can award a task agreement to one specific CESU partner without competing it among multiple applicants, when justified under Department of the Interior policy at 505 DM 2.14(4) ("Unique Qualifications").
9) What are "unique qualifications" in this context?
The notice provides examples of factors that may establish unique qualifications, including (but not limited to) location, property ownership, capacity for voluntary support, ability to cost share when applicable, specialized technical expertise, or other distinguishing attributes directly tied to the task requirements.
10) Does the chosen partner need to be tied to a specific region, ecosystem, or management context?
The notice indicates the justification should connect the partner's unique fit to the project needs. Examples include meeting requirements for a particular region, ecosystem type, management regime, specialized expertise, or timeframes driven by regional or program demands.
11) What is the funding instrument used for these awards?
The instrument is a cooperative agreement (implemented through task agreements under existing CESU cooperative agreements), not a traditional grant.
12) Why does it matter that this is a cooperative agreement rather than a traditional grant?
In this notice, a cooperative agreement signals that FWS expects to be substantially involved in shaping and carrying out the work. Each task agreement must include a statement describing the nature of federal involvement.
13) What must be included in each task agreement package?
Each individual task agreement must include (1) a statement describing substantial federal involvement and (2) a justification for using a sole source award under the unique qualifications authority. The notice also instructs that a copy of the Grants.gov notice be attached to the task agreement package submitted for financial processing.
14) Is FWS financially committed once a task agreement is proposed?
No. The notice states that the federal government is not financially committed to any proposed task agreement until it is approved by an authorized FWS financial officer.
15) What CFDA (assistance listing) is associated with this opportunity?
The notice lists CFDA 15.649 (Service Training and Technical Assistance, generic training) as one possible assistance listing, and notes that other CFDA numbers could apply depending on the specific task agreement.
16) Does Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review) apply?
No. The announcement states that Executive Order 12372 does not apply.
17) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number provided is FWS CESU 4.
18) What are the posted and closing dates shown in the notice?
The administrative details in the announcement indicate it was posted May 9, 2008, with an original and current closing date of May 22, 2008, and an archive date of June 21, 2008. The notice also describes an ongoing intent beginning in FY 2008 and continuing for the duration of FWS participation in CESU cooperative agreements.
19) Does this notice describe a one-time funding pool?
No. The notice explains a mechanism and justification for issuing sole source CESU task agreements during the period of FWS participation in CESU cooperative agreements (which are described as renewable every five years), rather than announcing a one-time competitive pool.
20) Who should be contacted for CESU coordination and project development?
FWS identifies regional Science Support Partnership contacts as points of contact for CESU cooperative agreements, including: Region 1 (Northwest) Paul Heimowitz; Region 2 (Southwest) Charles Ault; Region 3 (Midwest) Sean Kelly; Region 4 (Southeast) Bill Starkel; Region 5 (Northeast) Richard Bennett; Region 6 (Mountain Prairie) Greg Watson; Region 7 (Alaska) Janet Hohn; Region 8 (California/Nevada Operations) Diane Elam; and Region 9 (Headquarters) Bill Knapp.
21) Who can be contacted for access issues?
The notice lists Jo Ann Mills, Program Analyst, for access issues at 703-358-2430.
22) How are projects expected to be structured geographically or programmatically?
The listed regional points of contact and the CESU model described in the notice indicate projects are expected to be regionally grounded and aligned with on-the-ground management and science needs identified by FWS programs and regional offices.
23) What is the role of universities and partner institutions in CESUs?
The notice states that universities and partner institutions contribute facilities, administrative support, and access to faculty, students, and technical resources, while federal agencies contribute scientists, specialists, and other professional support.
24) What is the overall goal of using the CESU framework?
The CESU framework is intended to streamline and strengthen multi-agency, cross-disciplinary work by using an established partnership structure rather than building a new collaboration for each project, supporting applied conservation and management problem-solving.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Natural Resources
Next opportunity: Fish and Wildlife Service, CESU Sole Source Task Agreements under 505 DM 2.14(1) Unsolicited Proposals
Previous opportunity: Moxa Arch Vegetation Treatments Survey for Spring Forb Sage Grouse
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for FWS CESU 4
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (FWS CESU 4) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Fish and Wildlife Service, CESU Sole Source Task Agreements under 505 DM 2.14(1) Unsolicited Proposals Apply for FWS CESU 1 Funding Number: FWS CESU 1 Agency: Fisheries Habitat Conservation Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fish and Wildlife Service, CESU Sole Source Task Agreements under 505 DM 2.14(2) Continuation Apply for FWS CESU 2 Funding Number: FWS CESU 2 Agency: Fisheries Habitat Conservation Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fish and Wildlife Service, CESU Sole Source Task Agreements under 505 DM 2.14(3) Legislative Intent Apply for FWS CESU 3 Funding Number: FWS CESU 3 Agency: Fisheries Habitat Conservation Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fish and Wildlife Service, CESU Sole Source Task Agreements under 505 DM 2.14(5) Emergencies Apply for FWS CESU 5 Funding Number: FWS CESU 5 Agency: Fisheries Habitat Conservation Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Modeling Sediment Dynamics St. Croix River Apply for A659008RM38 Funding Number: A659008RM38 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Youth Conservation Corps Work Experience for Young Adults in New Mexico Apply for NM RFA08 0005 Funding Number: NM RFA08 0005 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Cleveland Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry Intern Program Apply for UT RFA 08 0008 Funding Number: UT RFA 08 0008 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $10,950 |
| Invertebrate Species Survey and Endangered Plant Census Apply for N62473 08 R CHINALAKE Funding Number: N62473 08 R CHINALAKE Agency: NAVAL FACILITIES ENGINEERING COMMAND Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $21,400 |
| Hail Point Living Shoreline Project, Eastern Neck NWR Apply for FWS 08 RW 000 006 Funding Number: FWS 08 RW 000 006 Agency: Region 5 Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Wildlife Sensitive Species Surveys in Support of Energy Development Apply for WY NOI08 9005 Funding Number: WY NOI08 9005 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| Identifying Disturbance Mechanisms Influencing Habitat Selection by Elk in Natural Gas Development Fields Apply for RFA WY08 9004 Funding Number: RFA WY08 9004 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $34,000 |
| Western Water Institutional Solutions Identification, Development, and Application of Institutional Solutions for Western Water Problems Apply for 08SF811421 Funding Number: 08SF811421 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $262,500 |
| Land Management and Conservation Program Internship (Oregon) Apply for OR RFA08 0003 Funding Number: OR RFA08 0003 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $30,000 |
| YRBWEP Implementation Apply for 08SF1UR033 Funding Number: 08SF1UR033 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Upper Columbia Area Office Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $538,080 |
| WCFSP FY 2009 for Upper Columbia Area Office Apply for 09SF1U9001 Funding Number: 09SF1U9001 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Upper Columbia Area Office Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Determine invasion status and ecological impacts of an exotic zooplankter in Great Lakes parks Apply for A6067080012 Funding Number: A6067080012 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| YRBWEP Feasibility Study Apply for 08SF1UR033RID Funding Number: 08SF1UR033RID Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Upper Columbia Area Office Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Aspen Woodland Study Apply for WY NOI08 9004 Funding Number: WY NOI08 9004 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $12,000 |
| Future Industrial Needs Discovery FIND Sustainable Development Community Needs Apply for NV NOI080016 Funding Number: NV NOI080016 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $134,000 |
| Cave Assistance Projects Statewide New Mexico Apply for NM RFA08 0006 Funding Number: NM RFA08 0006 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $800,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "FWS CESU 4", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.